The most popular ornamental tree for our area is Flowering Pear. The most popular variety is ‘Chanticleer’ or ‘Cleveland Select’. Same tree, same shape, just different names. Great flower, great leaf, good fall color, no fruit or small fruit, Pyramid shape grows to 30’.
Flowering Crab varieties come in all shapes and sizes. When we grow flowering crabs we are looking for disease resistance and small fruit that remains on the tree for birds to glean in the winter. The best crab in our field is Prairie Fire. Good color all year, small winter persistent fruit, clean foliage, tight branching, rosy bloomer makes it number one. Another fan favorite is the spring snow crab this variety is a top choice because of it’s white springtime blooms and is a minimal fruit baring crab apple.
Pagoda dogwood is great for horizontal branching.
Magnolias. Star and saucer. The star magnolia provides a beautiful small flower, but most popular are the larger flowered soulangiana types. We carry a butterfly yellow magnolia that people find intriguing.
Flowering Dogwoods (Cornus florida) are magnificent in spring bloom. We sell a few of the semi-hardy varieties for our area; they need shelter and very good soil.
Japanese maple, A recommended variety is called Bloodgood because it is the hardiest. We do sell other varieties including Emperor 1 and Crimson Red.
Top grafted patio trees like dwarf Korean lilac and the hydrangeas are useful as a small ornamental but have wind challenges when young. Staking is usually required in their early years.
Japanese tree lilac has maintained popularity. This variety of lilacs provides a beautiful summer bloom.
